Production of Bioelectricity using Microbial Fuel Cells Fed with Synthetically Designed Wastewater

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are the electrochemical systems that harness electron from the reduction of organic compounds using microbes as a catalyst. 3 combinations from 4 electrodes that are, Zn (14.9cm×4.9cm), Carbon (14cm×1.5cm), Cu (14.9cm×4.9cm) and Al (14cm×4.5cm) were assessed . Zn-C, as an anode-cathode combination produced maximum voltage of 1.1±0.03V and current 1.5±0.12mA. In present study,gram negative non-fermentative staphylococcus bacterium was isolated from a mediator-less microbial fuel cell, fed with rice bran oil refinery wastewater operated in fed-batch manner. The isolate produced potential of 1.01±0.01V and current of 1.24±0.03mA using synthetic wastewater. The newly isolated bacterium has potential of generating electricity in MFC system and may hold many possibilities with different wastewater as well as in practical applications.